Opening-day league action from Steps 3 and 4
Contenders earn point apiece
FC United boss Neil Reynolds and Nantwich counterpart Dave Cooke were both satisfied with a point apiece as these two promotion contenders battled out a hard-fought opening-day draw.
Substitute Charlie Ennis fired the home side in front from close range on 63 minutes, only for the visitots to level five minutes later through Sean Cooke.
“FC came out in the first 20 minutes like Real Madrid, but we grew into the game, having two really good chances in the first half, which their keeper did really well with,” Dabbers boss Dave Cooke said.
“We equalised, we could have got our noses in front, but towards the end of the match it became end and end, and so I think a draw was the fair result.”
Reynolds also expressed his satisfaction, adding: “I was really happy with the
performance, unlucky not to win the game, but on the balance of play, really happy with the result.”
Michael Fowler almost put United in front on nine minutes, only to be stopped in its tracks by keeper Tony McMillan.
But they were also thankful to keeper Dan Lavercombe, who brilliantly kept out efforts from Sam Cooke and David Webb after neat Nantwich build-ups.
Nantwich then had a goal ruled out on 48 minutes when Callum Saunders was deemed offside before putting the ball into the net.
But it was the home side who finally broke the deadlock on 63 minutes. Skipper Michael Potts found Fowler, who held up the ball well, Ennis then took over the attack and saw his shot deflect past McMillan and into the Nantwich goal.
But the Dabbers wasted no time in hitting back with a well worked equaliser. Joe Malkin coming off the bench to set-up Sean Cooke, who placed the ball past Lavercombe.
The game, played at a good pace throughout the second half, and built up to a crescendo with both teams creating half chances.
But it was Dan Cockerline who came closest to taking all three points in the closing stages, but the FC United striker saw his header go wide from six yards out.
STAR MAN: Michael Donohue (FC Utd) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★